Donaldsonville business owner arrested on drug charges

Donaldsonville business owner arrested on drug charges

DONALDSONVILLE — Ascension Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested a New Orleans man who owns the Donaldsonville business Mr. Smoke Inc. twice this week for possession of synthetic marijuana and on other drug charges, the Sheriff’s Office reported Friday.

Sheriff’s narcotics agents had conducted a two-month investigation into the sale of illegal synthetic marijuana from the business at 400 Marchand Drive, Donaldsonville, deputies said in a news release.

Thar Elabed, 31, 1624 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, was arrested Monday at Mr. Smoke on two drug possession counts and on being a fugitive from Dallas on an aggravated robbery count, deputies said.

He was arrested again Thursday while in the Ascension Parish Prison, following a search of his business and vehicle the previous day, deputies said.

During the search, detectives seized 1,350 packs of synthetic marijuana from the store and vehicle. Deputies also reported seizing hydroponic marijuana, cocaine, prescription pills and drug paraphernalia from the Mr. Smoke store.

Elabed was booked Monday and Thursday on counts that included possession of schedule I and schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of Alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia and on the fugitive warrant.